Page 16 of Four Cards Exposed

“I won’t throw fights,” James said quietly, so only Moore could head him. “That’s the only thing I won’t do.”

Moore scratched at his beard. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that,” he said.

James forced a neutral expression on his face, knowing full well that Moore would feel no qualms about asking such a thing from him. Once again, James hoped he’d no longer be here by the time that happened.

“Now go on, get ready. The changing room is right over there. Miguel and I have things to discuss.”

Although James would much rather have stayed and listened in, he clasped his hands in front of him and nodded respectfully at Moore and Mendoza. The fingers of his left hand rubbed over his bruised knuckles—a reminder that he needed to be careful in tonight’s fight. A broken hand now could end the entire operation.

6

* * *

Susan

Susan steadied the tray in her hands. She’d never waitressed a day in her life before today, and had been half-tempted to refuse when Moore had suggested it to Guerrero. She hadn’t, because she knew Milena would have been grateful for the opportunity to make a few dollars, but more importantly, because it was her chance to get closer to Guerrero and his new crowd.

Two days earlier, as they’d arrived in the city, Guerrero had directed Susan towards a dilapidated warehouse holding a garage and a bar. There, he’d introduced her to two men: Miguel Mendoza, a slight Mexican man who kissed her hand and spoke to her in a deferential tone, and Sean Moore, a rough, ruddy-faced American who seemed to be the owner of the warehouse and also of the ship she was currently on.

Shit.

Almost dropped it again.

It didn’t help that she hadn’t found her sea legs yet. One of the other waitresses, a blond woman maybe a couple of years younger than Susan but who looked like she’d been doing this forever, had taken one quick look at Susan when Guerrero brought her in, then pulled out a bottle of Dramamine and offered it to her. That single act of kindness was probably the only reason Susan was still on her feet.

Susan loaded the tray with empty glasses and started back for the bar. As she walked, she studied the guests wandering around the casino area. It was mostly men, but quite a few women as well. Susan wasn’t an expert, but the strappy cocktail dresses and flashing jewelry the women were wearing didn’t seem cheap.

“How much do these people pay to be here?” she asked quietly as she unloaded the empty glasses onto the stainless steel dishwasher rack.

“You don’t want to ask questions here, honey,” the blonde replied. “Just know that it’s a lot more than you’ll be taking home this month.”

Susan looked out the window. “We’re still heading out to sea.”

The woman shook her blond hair. “We’ll head straight out until midnight, then slowly make our way back.”

Susan groaned inside. That meant they wouldn’t get back until four a.m. at the earliest. The blisters on her feet would have blisters by the time that happened.

“They come all the way out here just to drink and gamble?” Susan whispered. Although a few people were throwing coins into the slot machines, and several others sat at roulette tables, it seemed to her that people were mostly milling around the room rather than actively gambling.

The waitress considered her for a moment. “What did you say your name was?”

“I’m Milena,” Susan said without hesitation. She’d practiced enough in front of the mirror.

“Nice to meet you, Milena. I’m Candy,” the waitress replied. “These people aren’t here to gamble. That’s just a little plus Mr. Moore likes to offer.”

“They come here to drink, then?” Susan asked doubtfully.

Candy waved Susan’s question aside. “Focus on the job. Take that tray of fresh drinks to the nice people at the roulette table.”

Milena had only just delivered the drinks when Guerrero came back.

“How are you doing?” he asked. “Is everybody respecting you?”

Susan barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes at his caveman-like behavior, but at the same time, she was grateful. Susan Lopes might be able to kick some of these men’s ass, but Milena Rojas couldn’t very well do that without breaking cover.

She nodded in what she hoped was a docile way.

“Come with me. You’re needed downstairs. One of the girls just puked over the guests. You’re going to take her place.”